HHS, CMS Offer More Support for COVID-19 Telehealth Adoption, Expansion

Federal authorities are announcing more support – in grants and changes to Medicare reimbursement - for health systems looking to implement or expand telehealth during the coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, the Department of Health and Human Services announced an additional $250 million set aside from the CARES Act to support health systems and hospitals deal with COVID-19. The funding follows an HHS disbursement of $100 million in April.

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"While our country mourns those we have lost from this pandemic, we continue to support America’s hospitals and heroic frontline healthcare workers who are treating COVID-19 patients and saving American lives," HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in a press release. "This additional funding secured from Congress by President Trump will help healthcare providers prepare for and treat patients with COVID-19. By supporting coordination among different healthcare facilities across a region, HHS is helping communities care for COVID-19 patients while also addressing day-to-day medical needs.”

The money will be used to develop and expand connected health services as well as train healthcare staff, purchase supplies and develop integrated programs.

In addition, the Indian Health Service has launched a Critical Care Response Team to guide healthcare delivery to IHS and tribal hospitals serving a population particularly hard-hit for the pandemic. Just a few days ago, HHS announced that it was using $15 million from the CARES Act to help Native American Tribes and associated organizations expand their telehealth capabilities.

According to IHS officials, the team, comprised of healthcare professionals, “will conduct hands-on clinical education while treating patients, expanding capacity and training the frontline health care professionals on the most current information for the management of COVID-19 patients, and other critically ill patients.” They’ll also be quickly deployed to locations struggling to handle and maintain care because of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is making adjustments to its payment and service delivery models to help providers develop new value-based care programs, including those using telehealth.

In a June 3 Health Affairs commentary, CMS Administrator Seema Verma said the changes will give providers more flexibility to address the COVID-19 emergency.

“For example, many of our primary care practices in our Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) Model have quickly ramped up to ensure access to care through telehealth,” she noted. “Several CPC+ practice participants in Michigan have gone from no telehealth services in February to 85 percent of visits done through telehealth, including virtual visits and phone calls, in April.”